Autoblog

Click the above image of the Ego for more shots of VW's 2028 concepts

For years, Inquiring minds have been imagining what the world will look like in the not-too-distant future, and, as you're no doubt aware, our brains have a knack for envisioning more than our feeble hands can produce. That appears to be the case with Volkswagen and its look 20 years into the future of the automobile. So, with that in mind, what does VeeDub see as the future of transportation in twenty years? To begin with, customizable cars which can be summoned up in just minutes. Traveling alone? Choose the One, a single-seater, for the smallest footprint possible. Want to have some fun? Choose the aptly named Ego, a sporty two passenger coupe with an instant custom flame job. If you need to haul the whole clan, the future's family truckster VW Room needs no driver, leaving you with plenty of quality time with the kids.

Volkswagen envisions vehicles which communicate with each other, meaning that driver involvement is kept to a minimum, traffic is a thing of the past and accidents are completely avoided. Of course, no vision of the future would be complete without the elimination of fossil fuels, and VW sees to it that biofuels and electricity power the cars of the future. Interestingly, the not-so-futuristic up! concept is used as the starting point for the German automaker's future designs. Head on over to the micro-site for more.


[Source: Volkswagen 2028]

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Space up!

We'll admit to being a bit shocked that Volkswagen was even considering a move back to the rear-engine configuration it made fashionable all those years ago with its first vehicle, the ubiquitous Beetle, for the production version of its up! concept. Although we have some fondness in our hearts for the good ol' Bug and its backwards engine location, modern packaging constraints may force VW to ditch this idea for the production version of the up!, just like it did for the modern reincarnation of that first Vee Dub, the New Beetle. Out would go the uniqueness of the concept vehicle with this decision, but such is life in these days of platform sharing and cost considerations.

To go along with the previously noted nostalgia-crushing news, rumors indicate that both a 1.2-liter gasoline engine and a new diesel engine of the same displacement are expected, both offering just 55 horsepower. If this power level is accurate, at least the up! will share one thing with its Beetle forebear: really slow acceleration.


[Source: AutoZeitung (translated) via Motor Authority]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen up!

Volkswagen's adorable little up! has the ambitious goal of becoming the next original Beetle, and new info on Auto Express seems to indicate that the Germans in Wolfsburg may be on to something. The up! will feature both gasoline and diesel-powered engines with a minuscule displacement of only .6 turbocharged liters, and a larger 1.2L three-cylinder engine may be planned, as well.

The up! will also be extremely fuel efficient, with U.S. fuel economy numbers near 80 mpg. Perhaps the most eye-catching bit of info is the base price of the handsome little micro: models will sell for as little as £4,500 in emerging markets and more richly equipped European models will start around £7,500. VW is also looking at making both a three- and five-door up! with the exact same wheelbase, as well a roomier MPV version and even a hybrid. VW also says that the 11 foot long up! will also feature the roomiest cabin in its class. Is it just us, or does the amazing little up! almost sound too good to be true? We'll find out for sure next year when the production up! is released to the public.



[Source: Auto Express]

Last week we told you about Volkswagen's plan to put touch screens in every one of its cars next year and wondered if maybe this is what Apple had been helping VW sort out.

Well, our brothers over at Engadget did some digging and came up with a video showing VW's UP touch interface in use. Apple fans will immediately recognize the look and feel of the images as very Coverflow or Front Row-like. Apple fanboys will have already seen all this, of course, and put their cars up for sale in anticipation of the new VW lineup (anyone want to by a 2002 Corolla, btw?).

Is this the fabled iCar? Has Apple assisted in the design of VW's new touch interface? While the video shown here is indeed intriguing, don't get excited just yet. Apple's Coverflow is easily imitated, and VW might have only been inspired by Apple's work. Even so, it would be a huge improvement over what VW uses now, and as much of a leap forward for the automotive industry as Apple's iPhone has been for mobile phone companies.

If you know Apple, they're gonna keep this pie as secret as they can until it's fully baked. But we're gonna do our best to keep an eye on it while it's cooking, so stay tuned.

[Source: Engadget]

Click image for photo gallery

VW has adapted its globe-trotting up! concept for California's green sensibilities, packaged it like a micro-sized microbus and has brought the result to Los Angeles. The space up! blue is a fuel cell hybrid with plug-in capabilities. It leverages a high-temperature fuel cell (the world's first, according to VW) in concert with a lithium-ion battery array to power a rear-mounted electric motor. A solar panel on the roof also helps charge the onboard batteries. On battery power alone, the little cruiser has a range of 65 miles with a full charge. When the fuel cell is added into the mix, maximum range increases to 220 miles. VW claims that its high temperature fuel cell (FC-HT) is more production-viable in the long tun than competing fuel cell tech because it's lighter, more geared to everyday use and less costly to produce. That's very encouraging news, to be sure. Now, if only they had figured out a way to allow for roof-mounted surfboards without blocking the solar panel...

[Source: VW]

UPDATE: Press release added after the jump.

Click the image above for more live high-res pics.

Some may compare it to the Beetle, but in the end, it looks like a restyled Golf that's been left in the dryer for one cycle too long. The rear-engine, three-door, four-seat city car from Volkswagen, dubbed the up!, aims to be the V-dub equivalent of the smart, with a small footprint (3,450mm long and 1,620mm wide) and inoffensive styling.

It's a strange dichotomy of sorts, with the 50-year old rear-engine drivetrain mated to a host of 21st century technology that allows on-the-go urbanites the right balance of size and cargo space. All the seats, except the driver's, fold down and can be removed, and once out they can be stored in the frunk (front-trunk) or in the rear cargo area. Naturally, drivers get climate control, sat-nav, and an on-board computer, along with a secondary screen for the co-pilot.

We'll have more details as soon as we get VW's official press release, but for the time being, you can check the gallery below for two dozen of live shots.